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RI S816: Relating to Elections -- Deceptive and Fraudulent Synthetic Media in Election Communications

Effective Jul 2, 2025 Rhode Island · 2025 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

S816 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Jul 2, 2025
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Rhode Island's 2025 election deepfake law (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 17-30) bars candidates, campaign committees, PACs, party committees and independent spenders from distributing synthetic media they know or should know is deceptive and fraudulent within 90 days of an election. Synthetic media is an image, audio or video of a person intentionally manipulated with generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology to look real but give a fundamentally different impression. A clear disclosure that the media 'has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence' is a safe harbor. Depicted candidates may seek injunctions and damages. Effective on passage.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Campaigns, PACs and political advertisers in Rhode Island must label AI-manipulated media of candidates in the 90 days before an election.

Key provisions

  1. R.I. Gen. Laws 17-30-1: defines synthetic media made with generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology
  2. Bars distributing deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media of candidates within 90 days of an election
  3. Safe harbor: disclosure that the media has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence, with size and audio timing rules
  4. 17-30-2: depicted candidate may seek an injunction and damages; attorney fees; clear and convincing evidence
  5. 17-30-3: exempts broadcasters, news outlets with disclaimers, satire or parody, and interactive computer services

Latest legislative action

Jul 2, 2025. Signed by Governor; Public Laws 2025, chapter 410

Sponsors (showing 5 of 10)

NameRoleDistrict
D Sponsor SD-022
D Sponsor SD-013
D Sponsor SD-027
D Sponsor SD-033
D Sponsor SD-012

Roll call votes

H Passage In Concurrence Jun 20, 2025

70 yea2 nay3 otherPassed

S Passage Jun 20, 2025

35 yea0 nay3 otherPassed

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in Political AdvertisingAI Transparency

Affected industries

GovernmentMedia

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Rhode Island

All Rhode Island bills →
H5872 Relating to Elections -- Deceptive and Fraudulent Synthetic Media in Election Co HB7543 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERNET A H7954 Regulates how certain large social media platforms utilize algorithms. H7538 Requires healthcare providers and healthcare facilities to inform patients of th S3338 Relating to Criminal Offenses -- Impersonation and Identity Fraud H8060 Relating to Criminal Offenses -- Impersonation and Identity Fraud

Same topic in other states

Indiana HB1133 Use of digitally altered media in elections Idaho H0664 ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS – Freedom From AI-Rigged (FAIR) Elections Act: rel Nevada AB73 AN ACT relating to campaign practices; requiring certain communications relating Wisconsin AB664 Disclosures regarding content generated by artificial intelligence in political New Mexico HB182 AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN REP Kentucky SB4 AN ACT relating to protection of information and declaring an emergency.